Job 34:12
New International Version
It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

New Living Translation
Truly, God will not do wrong. The Almighty will not twist justice.

English Standard Version
Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Berean Standard Bible
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

King James Bible
Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

New King James Version
Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

New American Standard Bible
“God certainly will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

NASB 1995
“Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

NASB 1977
“Surely, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Legacy Standard Bible
Truly, God will not act wickedly, And the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Amplified Bible
“Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

Christian Standard Bible
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

American Standard Version
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Contemporary English Version
and he is never unfair.

English Revised Version
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Certainly, God will never do anything evil, and the Almighty will never pervert justice.

Good News Translation
Almighty God does not do evil; he is never unjust to anyone.

International Standard Version
Truly, God doesn't practice wickedness, and the Almighty doesn't pervert justice.

Majority Standard Bible
Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

NET Bible
Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

New Heart English Bible
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will Shaddai pervert justice.

Webster's Bible Translation
Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

World English Bible
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Indeed, truly, God does not do wickedly, "" And the Mighty does not pervert judgment.

Young's Literal Translation
Yea, truly, God doth not do wickedly, And the Mighty doth not pervert judgment.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also surely God will not do evil, and the Almighty will not pervert judgment.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For truly, God will not condemn in vain, nor will the Almighty repudiate judgment.

New American Bible
Surely, God cannot act wickedly, the Almighty cannot pervert justice.

New Revised Standard Version
Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Truly, God does not commit iniquity, neither does God pervert justice.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Truly God does no evil, neither does God pervert the way
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Yea, of a surety, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thinkest thou that the Lord will do wrong, or will the Almighty who made the earth wrest judgment?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Confirms God's Justice
11For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. 12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. 13Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world?…

Cross References
Psalm 92:15
to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He.

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.

Romans 9:14
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not!

Genesis 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

Isaiah 45:19
I have not spoken in secret, from a place in a land of darkness. I did not say to the descendants of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in a wasteland.’ I, the LORD, speak the truth; I say what is right.

Psalm 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.

Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.

Isaiah 61:8
For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity; in My faithfulness I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Zephaniah 3:5
The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.

2 Chronicles 19:7
And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?

James 1:13
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.

Romans 3:5-6
But if our unrighteousness highlights the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unjust to inflict His wrath on us? I am speaking in human terms. / Certainly not! In that case, how could God judge the world?

1 John 1:5
And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.


Treasury of Scripture

Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

surely

Psalm 11:7
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Habakkuk 1:12,13
Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction…

pervert

Job 8:3
Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

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Job 34
1. Elihu accuses Job for charging God with injustice
10. God omnipotent cannot be unjust
31. Man must humble himself unto God
34. Elihu reproves Job














Indeed, it is true
This phrase serves as a strong affirmation, emphasizing the certainty and reliability of the statement that follows. In the Hebrew text, the word "אֲבָל" (aval) is used, which can be translated as "truly" or "indeed." This sets the tone for a declaration of divine character, underscoring the unwavering truth of God's nature. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine beings as inherently just, contrasting with human fallibility.

that God
The term "God" here is translated from the Hebrew "אֵל" (El), a name that signifies strength and might. In the context of the Book of Job, this name for God highlights His supreme authority and power over creation. The use of "El" reminds readers of the monotheistic belief in a singular, all-powerful deity who governs the universe with righteousness.

does not act wickedly
The Hebrew word for "wickedly" is "רֶשַׁע" (resha), which denotes actions that are morally wrong or unjust. This phrase asserts the moral perfection of God, affirming that He is incapable of committing evil. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with the consistent biblical portrayal of God as holy and righteous, incapable of sin or moral failure.

and the Almighty
"Almighty" is translated from the Hebrew "שַׁדַּי" (Shaddai), a title that conveys God's omnipotence and sovereign power. This name for God is often associated with His ability to provide and protect, emphasizing His ultimate control over all things. The use of "Shaddai" in this verse reinforces the idea that God's power is matched by His justice.

does not pervert justice
The phrase "pervert justice" comes from the Hebrew "יַעֲוֵּת מִשְׁפָּט" (ya'aveh mishpat), meaning to distort or corrupt what is right and fair. This assures believers that God's judgments are always true and just, reflecting His perfect nature. In the historical context of ancient Israel, justice was a foundational principle of society, and this statement reassures the faithful that divine justice is the ultimate standard.

Verse 12. - Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Elihu is fond of rhetorical amplification, like most young speakers. Vers. 11, 12 contain nothing that is really additional to the statement in ver. 10.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Indeed,
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

it is true
אָמְנָ֗ם (’ā·mə·nām)
Conjunction
Strong's 551: Verily, truly

that God
אֵ֥ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

does not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

act wickedly
יַרְשִׁ֑יעַ (yar·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7561: To be, wrong, to disturb, violate

and the Almighty
וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י (wə·šad·day)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7706: The Almighty

does not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

pervert
יְעַוֵּ֥ת (yə·‘aw·wêṯ)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5791: To be bent or crooked

justice.
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style


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OT Poetry: Job 34:12 Yes surely God will not do wickedly (Jb)
Job 34:11
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